The prospects of new referendum on British membership in the EU
The article analyses the events accompanied British referendum on Europe in 1975 and today’s situation, when in 2011-2013 D. Cameron called for a new referendum on the European Union (EU) membership. D. Cameron has promised an "in-out" vote by the end of 2017 if the Conservatives win the next election. It is mentioned in the article that in the middle of 1970 th. years, as well as in 2011-2013 British economy was in crisis. Leaders of the British government explained crises in economy as result of the Eurozone crisis, but not because of internal problems of the UK. If to speak about a political situation, during the specified period, the British politicians use their populist methods to put pressure upon leaders of the European Economic Community (EEC) and EU, because they wanted to change British role in the EEC and later in the EU. Besides, British leaders tried to receive support of the British dissatisfied voters. Wilson's main aim was to hold his feuding cabinets together. Because of that, he managed to organized and performed so well planned campaign, so that 67% of British voters said “yes” and country keep its membership in the EEC. As for D. Cameron, he had four main aims. Firstly, D. Cameron tried to avoid a threat from the United Kingdom Independence party (UKIP), opposing EU and immigrations. Its leader - Nigel Faradzh showed himself as a defender of the British sovereignty from EU encroachments. In his opinion, the European Union more and more reminds the Soviet Union, turning into the “ESSR”. Secondly, D. Cameron intended to neutralize so-called “backbenchers”- Eurosceptics from his own party. The Prime minister has come under pressure from many backbench Tory MPs to hold a vote and has promised to do so after a thorough renegotiation of the country's relationship with Brussels. D. Cameron described the referendum pledge as a "cause of unity" within the Conservative Party. Thirdly, he hoped to leave such a difficult decision on the European question to the next parliament. Fourthly, the prime minister has tried to blame the Eurozone in the economic crisis, which took place in the UK instead of explaining it as a result, of the painful measures on the strict economy, taken by his government. If D. Cameron does his best and organizes so well propaganda campaign as it was made 1975, he will get a huge support of British voters. Taking all these facts into consideration author makes the conclusion that even if the referendum on Europe have place it will be devoted to relegations of British relationship with Brussels.
Keywords
the European Union, the European Economic Community, the United Kingdom, Great Britain, Европейский союз, Европейское экономическое сообщество, ВеликобританияAuthors
Name | Organization | |
Morozova Anna E. | Tomsk State University | ann.morozo@yandex.ru |
References

The prospects of new referendum on British membership in the EU | Tomsk State University Journal of History. 2014. № 6 (44).